Steering wheel



June 5, 1928. 1,672,137

,w. P. SENG STEERING WHEEL Filed July 11, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l [211 672 201'; Y Indelin P5672} June 5, 1928; 1,672,137

w. P. SENG I swnnnme wnsm.

Filed July 11. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I [In enfor- Z if K. M. 14 14 I?? 15 %ndd 5 Z9 Atty Patented June5, 1928.

WENDELIN. 2. SENG, or WLLMETTE, rumors S E NG WHEEL- This invention, relates to a steering wheelfor automobiles, and1smoreparticularly described as a. locking. wheeh oi this type for the locking. device at the center; to provide an. additional locking ring to prevent nnau; thorized. movement of thewheel; to provide a capv with projecting parts all of which must, be torn] loose. before the cap or the wheel. can be removed fromthe steering column in. an unauthorized manner to provide alocking bolt which is effective in either one of two positions either tolock the Wheel to the steering post, or to engage the locking ring; to provide a cover for'the gear enclosing cap oi certain type of steering column which prevents access thereto, except when the steering wheel is removed; and in. gen eral, Ito produce. the construction herein. shown. and described.

In the accompanying. drawings, a view of a steering wheel constructed, in. accordance with the princlples of this. inven tion Fig. 2. is a sectional view of such a wheel; Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of the locking cap; Fig. i is a -side view oi the lockin ring; Fig. 5 is a view, partly in section 0% the locking receptacle Fig. 6 is a plan view with parts shown in, section oi the locking mechanism and the cover plate which also forms the spokes; and Fig.7 is a detailed view of the locking mechanism;.'.

This invention provides a steering wheel. which may be locked in connection with the I steering column for guiding the automobile,

or may be locked out ofsuch connection so that the wheel will rotate freely upon the steering column, with the provision. of locking means which prevents the unauthorized;

removal: of the steeringwheel from the steering column and prevents the disengagement o't'the locking parts except under. the control of a key, or by actually breaking apart the members of which the wheel is constructed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a rim 1 of wood or any other suitable material has connected thereto a p te 2 termed of h et me l w th adi -a tening defies metal stampings to 2. see eesseing spokes 3-, the extremities 4 0t which are seated in suitable recesses at the underside edge ofther m 1' and secured'tlieretolby fasgrip. forthe Wheel with no projections. or obstru'ctlons. Y Y

The spokes 3 are preferably bent down.- wardly atthe edges 6 toincrease the strength. and rigidity of the plate 2 and; the spokes,

alsotojafiorda heater and more pleaslng appearance, 'I,hecentral portion of the platefZ, ispref erably raised as shown-more clearly in Fig.2, and. formedl'ivithga. perforation 7. A perforated cup'or receptacle 8.

also. formed 0t sheet metal isvattachcd to the underside otthe plate 2 and is held; rigidly in connection therewithby means of; rivets 9. Interposed between the plate and, the. cup and seated by the p erforatjions therein. is a hub me'mber'lO'whic'h rotates, freely within the receptacle. An anti-frictipn bearing is commonly provided formingv annular grooves. 11, atthe top andv bottom oi the, hub

member in providing the corresponding ridges 12 111 thep late 2 and in thebotto n of the receptacle 8. and in seating ball bearings l3 in" the hall race" thus. formed.

his. provides a smooth I Before attaching the, pl te 2 and the cept acle' 8 by means of the rivets 9 a looking ring 14 is seatedwithin the receptacle f tting closely but loosely against. the outer wall thereof; The locking ring. isnot 'a complete, circle but hasfa portion omitted to seat a lock ng dev ice and, one extremity of ring is formed, with a reduced tongue 15;which. coropera tes with the locking device ashereatter explained. j

In the upper edge of the cup or receptacle 8 are a number of spaced bayonet slots 16, and in the upper. edge the locking ring 1 1 are corresponding straightslots 17 ofthe same deptl i as the bayonet slot. These slots.

16and'17 are adapted to seat locking rivets 18 therein the rivets being carried by downward projections 19, of'a locking. cap 20 which fits. over the central or hub portion of; the; plate, 2,1;hev projections 19 fitting closely overthe outside of the receptacle 8. When the slots 1 6 and; 17 are in alinement, the

rivets 18 are inserted means of the cap to the bottom of the slots, andthe cap is given aturn wh ch engages the rivetin the angular port on of the bayonetslet, the locking.

ring 14 at this time being moved over with the rivet so that if the locking ring is held in this position, the rivets cannot be disengaged from the bayonet slot 16. In this position the cap fits down closely over the plate 2 and with its raised center 21 forms a neat and finished appearance. The inner end of each fastening device or rivet 18 may be provided with a head 22, and the outer end extends through and is made flush with the outer face of the projection 19, so that in order 'to disengage the cap from the receptacle 8 it' is necessary to bend up all the projections 19 or cut off all the fastening rivetsthereof, unless the locking ring 17 is moved in the authorized manner. In order to hold the cap 20 against chattering a fastening screw 23 may be inserted through one or more of the projections 19 into a suitable hole 24 of the cup 8, and of course this fastening means would be removed before the cap could be turned in the ordinary manner for removing it.

In the hub member 10 is a shaft opening 25 and a key way 26 for the attachment of a shaft thereto, and in the sides are a plurality of locking recesses 27 Disposed in the cup 8 between the hub member and the outer wall of the cup is a locking bolt 28 having side supports 29 secured to the bottom of the cup and to the top plate 2'which covers it. The rear end of the locking bolt is formed with a recess 30 in which is a spring 31 tending to press the forward end of the bolt into engagement with any one of the locking recesses 27 and at one side of the locking bolt is a key controlled lock 32 of. any well known type having a movable projection 33 to engage in a slot of a plate 35 which is attached to the locking bolt by fastening screws 36 so that as the movable part of the lock is turned with a key, the bolt 28 may be moved into or out of locking engagement with anyone of the recesses 27 which happens to register therewith. In the cover 20 there is a recess 37 through which a key may be insertedfor operating the lock and locking bolt, the opening being elongated to allow the key to remain in when the cover is turned.

It will be evident that when the locking bolt 28 is in engagement with any one of the locking recesses 27, the steering wheel will be locked in steering engagement with the hub member 10, but when the locking bolt 28 is drawn back, as shown in Fig. 6, the steering'wheel will rotate free upon the steering shaft and cannot be removed except in an authorized manner without disrupting the parts.

One of the side supports 29 is formed with an opening 38 through which the tongue 15 of the locking ring 14 extends to engage the extremity of the locking bolt 28 in its retracted position, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7. In this position the locking ring cannot be rotated relatively to the bayonet slots 16 and therefore the cap 20 cannot be disengaged. In order to remove the cap the looking bolt is first engaged with one of the locking recesses 27, the fastening means 23 is removed from the projection 19 and the cap 20 is turned together with the locking rings 14 so that the slots 17 register with the straight portion of the bayonet slot 16. In this position the tongue 15 of the locking ring will extend still further into the opening'38 and the cap 20 can be lifted from the steering wheel for adjustment or repair of the parts, or when placing the steering wheel in position. A

At the top of the steering column there may be a housing 39 for gears connected to a steering shaft 40 and this housing is commonly provided with a lid 41 which is held I in place by a screw 42. To provide access to the housing, and to prevent removal of the lid, a cover 43 is provided'whieh extends over the edge of the lid 41 and abuts the under side of the receptacle 8 which is seated closely thereon to prevent lost motion or play, and the consequent rattling of the parts.

In placing this steering wheel in position, the cover 43 is placed over the lid 41, the assembled steering wheel without the cap 20 is mounted upon a short shaft 44 which projects above the lid 41, secured thereto by means of a key 45, the locking bolt 28 being engaged with one of the locking recesses 27. In the hub portion of the plate2 are recesses 46-corresponding to the alined position of the slots 16 and 17, so that when the steering wheel is attached to the shaft 44 the cap 20 can be placed in position, the fastening rivets 18 being inserted througn the recesses 46 in engagement with the slots 16 and 17. The cap is then given a slight turn to engage the locking members 18 with the bayonet slots 16 after which the fasten ing device 23 is placed in position and the wheel. is ready for use. At the top of the 'shaft 44 which is commonly formed with a 1. A steering wheel comprising a rim, a

central sheet metal stamping and spokes radiating therefrom secured to the rim, and means for locking the central part of the. stamping to a steering wheel post, said Leta-liar;

ee e manna c p .memh ure under said ee-ntral per otthe. stai nping, all-51;. ra ia y norms c ing m mber wetems n the. cup. e ir 'ot ml by it meted,

tamping! 2. The comb nation w th aqsteering rvheel nd; a v-rrer n Post there or, th e mpr sing a cent l s et me a ta p g. lll:- 1 9liS r iat g t er m. ec r to.

the. Whe int. -QQ ii lg me n 0. 7 at ching the wheel stampingto the post, and a sheet.

metal; c n extend ng OYBLT h St mp ng t pr ve t mau hoif zedcc s to. th v o k ng.

mea s 0 steering. post, comprising. a cup member se umbl L101 t e-post nd a r me e endingize r th t p of t po t ndydownwardly over the sides of the cup and havingv inward; projections extending through the sidesoi the cup torattafihing it thereto.

a, In a; steering wheel, a central plate with radiating spokes cup member secured to the underside thereof, a steering post ex:

tendang'thl'ongh the plate and means for attaching it thereto, and aeap extending over the central portion of the plate Covering the said .ineans and engaging viththe cup to prevent removal oi" the Wheel, :firom. the post.

5. The combination With a steering wheel and; a snpportingposttherefor, of ineans for mounting the wheel for tree rotation, sa d means. ncl ding a ub member. se ured to the post, a sheet metal easingseparate from the wheel; hub and comprising interlocking members enclosing the Wheel hub and the said hub member? trom above and below,

and a lo'cl; [operated bolt movable. in the.

7. In a steering wheel, a cup, member, a'

steering post, means'tor. attaching the (up to the post, and acap extending over the.

central portion ofthe cup covering said post and enclosing the attaching means, and" means projecting from. the cap; for engagement through the sides of the. cup to pre the cap from the cup mem' vent removal of her.

8,. In a steering Wheel of the class/described,a receptacle adapted to be attached to a steering. post and having bayonet slots in, its sides, and a cap extending over. the

receptacle and dovvnivalxl-ly. over its sides with inu er projections engp'tgeabl ew the sa d slots.

9. In a steering. ivheel a central plate havtedi ergp kes. a we ma ea w 3 steeringnvheeladapted tobeattached ide Q the Plate ha i g bayon t at w ar,

endin i ev ry he et e it e it the P e with projections engaging-1n the bayonet;

' slots, a lockingdisposed Within the WP h v ng St a gh l t wh pr en h s s ee e me of he Gag t i t s u l s letting n r te..-

lOlIn a storing whe having radiating spokes, a .cup member at one side thegplate havin bayonet slots, a cap, extending over the ot en. side- 0f the.

l, a central plate plate with projections engaging in the baiyonet slotga looking ring-disposed Withinthe cap having straightslots ivhich pre- 1 venttlre disengagement oi; the cap projections unless the locking ringistnrnecl, and

ineans'ror controlling the movement of the. e kms ri g- 11. In}; 10

tion with a hub, member having external re cesses, a receptacle vvhich, the is mounted, a cap having a bayonet joint en.- g'agen ent with the. receptacle, a lock d Within the receptacle tor Controlling the e n-- gtagement otthe cap, anda slidable bolt engaging the. locking ring: in one position and; toy any one of the hub member reoesses'in the otherposition.

1 2. In .a'steering Wheel, a. hub member having radiating externali'ecesses, a'recep; taole therefor co1nprisi;ng. a plate. with radiating spokes anda cup. secured tethe plate andprovided with; bayonet slots in the edges. between the spokes, a locking ring ithin the receptaclehaving straight slots in edgesta locking eapfextencling over the central portion Gram plate and with rwi ene e s he b yo e lots, a thefslots ot thellorki a. bolt to, engage; the 185 ing ring to prevent disengagement otthec'ap, one position,

ahdfto. engage one of the hub, membel; r.e..

cesses jto. 16a; the receptaele to the. hubin 7 wom n posi i nl 3;. The combination vvith aste ferin shaft, of a hub. memberreniovably attache. to the upper end, "a steering wheel comprising a central hub. part through which the, shaft enter is, casing c omposedof separate parts fitting above and, below the. hub member and.

extending over endfof the, shaft, and the.

casing parts being interlocked for enclosing the. hub part ot'theivheel and; the hnb 'memf, ber androtating freely with the rheel 011 the hub, member, and locking. meansjalso contained the casingv operative, to connect it with the hub. member.

14.. The. combinationwith a steering post ,andair attached hubmeinber, of a steering heel comprising ahub and spokes extendmg therefrom, a casin -with cooperating partsextending and interlocked between the.

spokes, to; enclose. the. 'hub member and the, steering wheel: hub from above. and below.

k steeringfvvheel, the coinbinan n i i a locking e ls mat. the th 14 and locking means also enclosed in the casing operative to connect it with the hub member for rotating the shaft with the wheel.

15; In 'a lock steering wheel, a hub member, a receptacle therefor comprising a plate with radiating spokes and a cup secured thereto, means for connecting the receptacle and the hub member comprising a locking bolt, a pair of supports therefor attached to the cup and plate, an arm projecting from the locking bolt and a rotatable lockmember ei'i'gaging the arm to move it and to move the bolt into and outof engagement with the hub member,

16. In a lock steering wheel, a hub member with radiating lock recesses adpated to bosecured to a steering post, a receptacle in which the hub member is freely rotatable,

' a cap having pin and slot connection with the receptacle and extending over the upper end of the steering post, a locking ring to control the pin and slot connection, and a bolt engageable with one of the recesses of the hub member to rotate the shaft by means the hub member is freely rotatable comprising a plate with radiating arms and a cup with locking slots between the' arms, a cap extending over the lock nut with projections engaging in the lock slots of the cap, a locking ring for controlling the engagement of the projections and the lock slots, locking means within the receptacle for connecting it to the hub member and for preventing the disconnecting movement of the lock ring, and a. rim secured to the projecting ex tremities of the said plate.

18. In a steering wheel, a hub member adapted to be secured to a steering post, a. receptacle in which the hub member'is rotatable and vcomprising a plate with radiat ing spokes, locking means for connecting the receptacle to the hub member, and a cap having projections to engage in the side of the receptacle between the spokes and having limited rotation for such engagement and having an elongated aperture in the top thereof for the insertion of the key to control said locking meansin any rotated position of the cap. v

19. A steering wheel for attachment to a steering post comprising a cup member attachable to the steering post, spokes radiating therefrom and a cap member extending over the top of the post with projections ex said member including a'cap extending over the top of the post andthe enclosure, the cap member having projections which extend inwardly between the spokes, and;

means for engaging said projections to lock the cap in plac 21. In a steering wheel, a central hollow hub member adapted to surrounda steering post, and a cap member extending over the top of thehub member to cover the'upper end of a steering post and having downward extensions between the spokes with inward projections to engage in the slots in the side of the hub member;

22. In a steering wheel, a hub member and radiating spokes, a cap extending over the top of the hub -member and means for engaging the cap with the hub member, the

said means including a bayonet joint and a e locking ring disposed within the hub memher and engaging the cap to preventits removal."

23. In a steering wheel, a cup member adapted to be releasably connected to a steering post, a locking ring fitting closely within the cup member, the members having registering slots and thoseof one of thembeing bayonet slots, anda cap member extending over thecup and the sides thereof and having projections engaged by the slots of both members. 24. In a steering wheel, a cup member having bayonet slots, a cap extending over the cup having projections engaging in the slots, and a locking ring in the cup with straight slots engaging the projections and movable'to prevent disengagement thereof from the bayonet slots.

25. Ina steering wheel, a cup member adapted to be attached to a steering post, a

locking ring fitting closely within the cup member, the members having registering slots and those of one of them being bayonet slots, a cap extending over the cup and the sides thereof and having projections en-" gaged by the slot-s of both'members, and

means for controlling'the movement of the locking ring after the cap is in position on the cup to prevent unauthorizedremoval of the cap. a

26. In a steering wheel, a member adapted to be attached to a steering post, a cup freely engaging the member at top and bottom, a slidable bolt to connect the cup and member, a cap insertable over the cup and having engagement therewith, and means controlled by the sliding bolt and including a locking ring movable in'the cup for look ing the cap in place on the cup.

27. In a steering Wheel, a hub member adapted to be inserted over and attached to a steering post, a covered cup member freely engaging the hub member at top and bottom, a slidable bolt to connect the cup and hub member, a key controlled lock for controlling the operation of the bolt, a cap extending entirely over the top of the cup and projections for engaging through the sides of the cup and with a key aperture in the top for said lock, and means controlled by the sliding boltincluding a looking ring movable in the cup for engaging the projections of the cap to lock it in place on the cup.

WENDELIN P. SENG. 

